Practical science is at its best when students can safely light burners, set up experiments and handle real chemicals - not just watch from the back of the room. But with gas, electricity, corrosive substances and heat all in one space, school laboratories must be designed and run with safety at their core. In the UK, CLEAPSS is widely regarded as the gold standard for safe practical science. For schools designing or refurbishing science labs, prep rooms and chemical stores,

As more schools and multi-academy trusts invest in modernising their science laboratories, D&T workshops and food technology rooms, one question consistently shapes early planning conversations: Table of Contents How does CLEAPSS impact the design, refurbishment and safe use of these spaces? What Is CLEAPSS? Why CLEAPSS Matters to UK Schools Supporting UK Health & Safety Requirements Supporting a Practical-Rich Curriculum Avoiding Expensive Design Errors CLEAPSS and Science

A 2024 study by the Education Endowment Foundation found that reducing visual clutter in classrooms can improve pupil progress by up to 16% , particularly for pupils with SEND or attention difficulties. Teaching Has Evolved But Many Classrooms Haven’t In 2025, classrooms are expected to support far more than traditional teaching. From blended learning to neurodiverse support, schools need layouts that enhance, not hinder, focus and organisation. Yet in many schools, the physi

The Push for Sustainable Schools – How Net Zero Targets Affect Refurbishment

Science education is at the heart of the UK’s STEM ambitions. Yet many secondary schools are trying to deliver modern science lessons in labs that are decades old often designed for curricula and class sizes that no longer apply.

In 2025, learning is no longer confined to the four walls of a classroom. With growing emphasis on wellbeing, engagement, and environmental awareness, outdoor learning is back in focus, and gaining traction with Ofsted too

In the push to improve student outcomes, the spaces used by teachers are often forgotten. While classrooms are modernised and student wellbeing is prioritised, staffrooms remain cramped, neglected, or altogether non-existent.

Schools across the UK are facing a brutal financial reality. Capital budgets are tighter than ever. Rebuilding costs are rising. And with over £11.4bn in maintenance backlogs already logged, there’s simply not enough funding to go around.

Following the Grenfell Inquiry and ongoing reviews of the Building Safety Act, schools face stricter compliance standards in 2025 than ever before. Whether you’re upgrading a lab, washroom or classroom, every material, fitting and fire escape route matters.

Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) are expanding at pace. With government policy actively encouraging school mergers and larger trusts, MATs are inheriting complex, ageing estates, each with different layouts, standards, and priorities.

While budgets remain tight, the cost of doing nothing is rising. That’s why smart refurbishment, not just emergency repair, should be the strategy schools adopt in 2025 and beyond.

From student safety to hygiene, from gender inclusivity to accessibility, school toilets are no longer just a building regulation tick-box, they’re a wellbeing priority. The trouble is, many school washrooms haven’t changed in decades.

AI is no longer a buzzword in education. From adaptive learning platforms and AI teaching assistants to automated marking and smart data insights, artificial intelligence is reshaping the classroom experience. But there’s a problem: our physical learning environments haven’t caught up.

Since the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, Ofsted inspections have returned in full force. But post-pandemic priorities have shifted. Schools are being judged not only on academic outcomes, but also on safeguarding, behaviour, personal development, and wellbeing.

The best inclusive environments don’t single out, they offer flexibility for all. This is known as Universal Design, spaces that work for the widest range of users without the need for special adaptations.

Post-Pandemic, Education Has Changed But Have Our Spaces? When the Covid-19 pandemic forced a rapid pivot to remote and hybrid learning, schools adapted their methods overnight.

In 2025, mental health isn’t a fringe topic in schools, it’s front and centre. With nearly 20% of students aged 7–16 facing likely mental health disorders, school leaders are being asked to go beyond curriculum and care: to create environments that actively support wellbeing.

You don’t always need a new building to meet growing demand. Strategic refurbishment and smart space planning can unlock capacity where you least expect it.

A modern school science lab must be more than a functional classroom. It is a space where pupils can investigate, collaborate, and apply...

Want to make the most of your 2025 funding? Read this article to learn how to maximise your spend and bring results that enable success.